Best Bassist of 2013 – 3rd Annual Loudwire Music Awards

Bassists lay down the killer low end that puts the “heavy” in our favorite rock and metal songs. We’ve got a wealth of qualified candidates for the Best Bassist of 2013 honor in the 3rd Annual Loudwire Music Awards and you get to crown the champ.

There’s iconic metal vets, familiar bass icons starting new bands and a few up-and-comers who are ready to leave their mark on the music world. Scroll down, check out the nominees for the Bassist of 2013 honor and vote for your favorite at the bottom of the post.

Facebook: Suffocation

Derek Boyer

Suffocation

Death metal favorites Suffocation returned in a big way with 'Pinnacle of Bedlam.' Bassist Derek Boyer found the pocket with new drummer Dave Culross taking over full-time and their power can be heard on tracks like 'Cycles of Suffering' and the title cut.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Rex Brown

Kill Devil Hill

Pantera legend Rex Brown remains one of metal's all-time greats, and Kill Devil Hill just continues his legacy. The band's sophomore set 'Revolution Rise' featured such standouts as 'Crown of Thorns,' 'Why?' and 'Where Angels Dare to Roam,' and Brown's influence can definitely be felt.

Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com

Geezer Butler

Black Sabbath

One of the year's great comebacks was Black Sabbath with their '13' album, and Geezer Butler's imprint can definitely be felt. Songs like 'God Is Dead?,' 'End of the Beginning' and 'Loner' just solidify the bassist's impeccable reputation as one of metal's icons.

Relapse Records

Paul Kelland

Ulcerate

Bassist Paul Kelland also fronts New Zealand death metallers Ulcerate, whose 'Vermis' album was a violent, hard-hitting juggernaut. Songs like 'Clutching Revulsion' and 'The Imperious Weak' cut right to the bone with their crushing heaviness and Kelland is right at the center of the fury.

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire

Lemmy Kilmister

Motorhead

Yes, Lemmy fronts Motorhead, but his bass skills should never be overlooked. This year Motorhead returned with one of their most vital records to date, 'Aftershock,' and songs like 'Heartbreaker' and 'Going to Mexico' lead the way, while 'Lost Woman Blues' shows a bluesy side.

Season of Mist

Colin Marston

Gorguts

The return of Gorguts was a welcome one in 2013 and their 'Colored Sands' disc wowed metal fans. Colin Marston, who has been toiling in Krallice, lends his low end mastery on tracks like 'Le Toit du Monde,' 'An Ocean of Wisdom' and 'From Wisdom to Hate.'

Larry Busacca, Getty Images

John Myung

Dream Theater

Dream Theater are widely regarded as one of the most technically sound acts in prog metal, and bassist John Myung is a big part of that. Myung brought his talents to Dream Theater's self-titled disc on cuts like the single 'The Enemy Inside,' the opus 'Illumination Theory' and more.

NewstedHeavyMetal.com

Jason Newsted

Newsted

We knew Jason Newsted was a talented bassist, but he also showed his vocal chops with his self-titled band on their 'Heavy Metal Music' album. Living up to the album's title, Newsted and company brought the heavy to songs like 'Soldierhead,' 'Heroic Dose' and 'King of the Underdogs.'

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Billy Sheehan

The Winery Dogs

The Winery Dogs was one of the year's more intriguing new bands, and the talented and respected Billy Sheehan held his own alongside Mike Portnoy and Richie Kotzen. Songs like 'I'm No Angel,' 'Elevate' and 'We as One' allow fans to see exactly how much Sheehan can cover a gamut of sounds and excel at each.

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire

Jeff Walker

Carcass

Extreme metallers Carcass added to their legacy with the 'Surgical Steel' album, and Jeff Walker's amazing bass and vocal work is all over it. 'Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System' and 'The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills' are among the albums standouts, showing Walker's ability to balance the heavy with some catchy.

Voting for the 3rd Annual Loudwire Music Awards closes on Feb. 11 at 10AM ET. Fans can vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure your favorite bassist wins!

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